Ingredients

The following ingredients have 4 Servings
  • 4 ounces bacon or pancetta (, diced)
  • 3-4 pound chicken (, cut in 8 pieces )
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (, to season the chicken)
  • ½ pound carrots (, cut diagonally in 1-inch pieces)
  • 1 medium  onion (, sliced (about 1 cup))
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon minced  garlic
  • ¼ cup Cognac or good brandy
  • 1 ½ -2 cups good dry red wine such as Burgundy
  • 1 ½ cup good chicken stock (, preferably homemade)
  • 6-7 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (, at room temperature, divided)
  • 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ pound frozen small whole onions (, (pearl onions))
  • ½ pound cremini mushrooms (, stems removed and thickly sliced)
  • 2-3 tablespoons chopped parsley to garnish

Instruction

  • Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
  • Add bacon to a large cast iron (I used 12-inch ) heat over moderately low heat. Cook until the bacon renders some of its fat, about 6-8  minutes or until lightly brown. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  • Liberally sprinkle the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. When the bacon is removed, brown the chicken pieces in batches in a single layer for about 5 minutes, turning to brown evenly. Remove the chicken to the plate with the bacon and continue to brown until all the chicken is done. Set aside.
  • Add the carrots, onions, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper to the pan and cook over medium heat for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are lightly browned. Add garlic, mushroom and cook for 1 more minute, then sprinkle in the flour and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until flour is paste-like. Next, add the Cognac and put the bacon, chicken, and any juices that collected on the plate into the pot. Add the wine, chicken stock, and thyme and bring to a simmer. Throw in the pearl onions and cover the pot with a tight fitting lid and place in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is just not pink. Remove from the oven and serve.